The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Bees & Beekeeping => Topic started by: Alex_ on June 18, 2018, 10:46:14 am

Title: Wild Bees in my garden
Post by: Alex_ on June 18, 2018, 10:46:14 am

I have a little group of bees that have made themselves an underground nest in an area I had been clearing.

I have been watching them potter around in the dirt  and loving the flowering comfrey.

I have never seen a digging bee before

Title: Re: Wild Bees in my garden
Post by: Fleecewife on June 18, 2018, 11:39:16 am

That's lovely Alex  :bee: :bee: :bee:   Can you put something over it to protect the nest, something with a large cutout at ground level, rather like a hedgehog home, maybe a piece of upsidedown guttering?  I fear it's going to get trodden on or soaked.  They will find the way in again.
Bees adore comfrey, don't they  :thumbsup:   Our patch positively hums with them, all bumbles as we have no honey bees here.

Title: Re: Wild Bees in my garden
Post by: Alex_ on June 18, 2018, 01:13:17 pm

I have spare guttering but wont that annoy them?

Title: Re: Wild Bees in my garden
Post by: Steph Hen on June 18, 2018, 02:42:26 pm

Maybe a large upturned terracotta plant pot?
Make any changes at night when most bees should be at home.
They are bumblebees. Nests are normally much better concealed and protected but even a damaged nest may rear some males.
Fun to watch!

Title: Re: Wild Bees in my garden
Post by: Fleecewife on June 18, 2018, 05:43:57 pm

Quote from: Alex_ on June 18, 2018, 01:13:17 pm

I have spare guttering but wont that annoy them?

They are annoyed already with their nest being exposed so it will help them settle.  Steph Hen's idea of doing it at night is ideal as then they will come out via the new shelter so will know their way back in without a problem.